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Watch the video on Stone Veneer.
Alternative building materials like cultured stone can offer many advantages over their natural counterparts.
The best way to give a home the look and feel of natural stone, while saving time and money, is to install direct-applied stone veneer. It costs about half as much as natural stone and typically weighs about 75% less. It eliminates the need for footings or wall ties, and it comes in many different textures, colors and styles.
Here's how it's installed:
- Apply two layers of drainage plane, such as a fiber board and house wrap, to the exterior frame wall. This will help to create a vapor and moisture barrier, protecting the frame from water and wicking up through the stone.
- Apply the metal lath by stapling it to the frame according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Apply a 1/2" to 3/4" thick layer of mortar over the entire metal lath and wall.
- Dampen the back of a stone and smear on a 1/2" to 3/4" layer of mortar, completely covering over the back of the stone.
- Press the stone into place on the wall, keeping the mortar joint width to a minimum — around 1/2" to 3/4". Repeat for each stone.
- Once all the stones are in place, use the mortar to fill in between all the joints.
- Let the mortar harden completely so the stones are cemented in place.
Direct-applied stone veneer is a great alternative to natural stone because it's less expensive to ship and easier to install.
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